The Re3DP Trawl is a DIY Trawl for Citizen Scientists to begin testing for plastic pollution in local waterways. Once the Trawl is assembled it can pulled behind a boat, dangled from a bridge or towed along the shoreline. Pollution collected can be shared to the TestingOurWaters.net website to help identify the source of pollution and ideally prevent it from entering the water in the first place.

The Re3DP Trawl is made from repurposed PETE plastic beverage bottles, held together by a 3D Printed Connector, preferably printed using filament made from recycled PETE plastic beverage bottles.

We are using part of the problem, single use plastic, to now take a small step toward a solution, through public engagement and action.

Total Re3DP Trawl material cost = <$15.

Begin building your own Re3DP Trawl today!

Step 1: Commit to Fighting Plastic Pollution in Our Waters!

In 2014, international scientists collaborated with 5Gyres.org to publish the first Global Estimate of Marine Plastic Pollution, and determined that 5.25 trillion particles of “plastic smog” surface pollution—weighing in at nearly 270,000 metric tons—pollute our oceans worldwide.

Plastic is now entering our oceans at the rate of a Garbage Truck a Minute.

At this rate, by 2050 there will be more Plastic Pound for Pound than Fish.

Help us engage the public by demonstrating how polluted our waters have become.

Help us prevent the plastic from entering the water by identifying the sources of pollution.

Help us Dispose of Disposables and Return to Reusables.

Step 2: 3D Print (3DP) Connector

Use the source CAD file from Fusion360 or the STL file to 3DPrint the Connector.

Study a 3D Visualization of the Re3DP Connector here.

Recycled PETE 3D printing filament available from 3DBrooklyn.com

Step 3: Gather Materials

The materials below can found at most hardware stores or ordered online.

Parts available online are linked to vendors.

6 Screws
6 Nuts
8 Washers
1 Net
2 3DP Connectors
2 2L bottles (preferably recovered from post consumer resource stream)
2 Frames (12" Length x 1/8" Thick x 1/2" Wide)
1 Rope (20' suggested minimum)

Note: It is more important that the 2 Frames are the same length, whether they are longer or shorter than 12" is not as critical.

Re3DP Trawl BOM.pdf
Download

Step 4: Inspect 3DP Connector

Remove any support material
Clear Frame cavity on 3DP connector
Clear Net Groove on 3DP connector
Clear Bottle Cap cavity on 3DP connector
Clear Frame attachment hole on 3DP connector, Repeat 1x
Repeat 1x

Step 5: Drill Hole Into 2L Bottle Cap

insert Bottle Cap into 3DP Connector
Use hole in 3DP Connector to determine hole location in Bottle Cap.
Drill 1/8" Hole into Bottle Cap
Repeat 1x

Step 6: Secure Bottle Cap Into 3DP Connector

Insert Screw through Washer and 3DP Connector into Bottle Cap Hole
Insert Washer and Nut under Bottle Cap onto Screw
Tighten Screw
Repeat 1x

Step 7: Assemble Frame - First Time

Insert Aluminum Frame into 3DP Connector
Repeat 1x
Attach remaining 3DP Connector onto 2 Frames already attached to 3DP Connector
Ensure Bottle Caps are on same side

Step 8: Drill Hole Into Frame

Use Hole in 3DP Connector to determine Hole Location on Frame
Remove Frame from 3DP Connector
Drill 1/8" Hole in Frame
Repeat 3x

Step 9: Assemble Frame - Final Time

Insert Aluminum Frame into 3DP Connector
Repeat 1x
Attach remaining 3DP Connector onto 2 Frames already attached to 3DP Connector
Ensure Bottle Caps are on same side